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SUPERMAJORITY. Presumptive House Speaker Bebot Alvarez says LP is set to coalesce with PDP-Laban. Photo by Mara Cepeda/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – The supermajority bloc at the House of Representatives (HOR) is only getting bigger.

Presumptive Speaker and Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez said that the Liberal Party (LP) is set to coalesce with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

“We intend to sign the coalition agreement by next week,” said Alvarez on Wednesday, July 13.

Outgoing Speaker and Quezon City 4th District Representative Feliciano Belmonte Jr told Rappler on Wednesday that he paid a “courtesy call” on Duterte Wednesday afternoon.

He said that LP’s alliance with PDP-Laban, which now has 93 members, is still “in the works.” LP was the ruling administration party during the term of former president Benigno Aquino III.

LP member and Ifugao Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr said, however, that LP will finalize their decision as a party in a meeting Friday afternoon.

“Well, I’m sure our members will discuss the merits and demerits. But you see, there are those who already made up their minds to join the minority and have expressed their sentiments. And vice versa,” Baguilat said in a text message.

“So we will tackle the group decision first then address the individual options of those who won’t join the party stand,” he added.

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).